Salomon Publishes 2022 Impact Report

The company’s first impact report is a comprehensive examination of its sustainability commitments and outlines its path to a better tomorrow through community change and responsible innovation

Today, Salomon unveils its 2022 Impact Report, which offers a comprehensive overview of the brand’s sustainability efforts. The report is the first of its kind produced by Salomon and examines how the company conducts its business within the outdoor industry. It includes the company’s long-term sustainability commitments, where it currently stands and outlines how it will reach its goals by implementing change through community involvement and innovation.

“In the past, Salomon has not been very vocal about its commitments, but this has never prevented us from being a responsible company,” explains Franco Fogliato, Salomon’s President and CEO. “Being 100% connected to mountain sports since the first day of our existence in 1947, in Annecy, has made us very respectful of our playground—nature—and our communities.”

Salomon has been implementing sustainability initiatives and projects in past years, with 2021 being a notable year for developments. In 2021, Salomon released the INDEX.01, the first recyclable running shoe that can be recycled at the end of its life cycle. Salomon also collaborated with Airbus and students from IMT Les Mines in Toulouse. The brand contributed its footwear know-how to the Hopper prosthetic project, which aims to help amputees access the outdoors. Finally, Salomon launched its Sports Pledge for responsible events and athletes.

In 2022, for its 75th anniversary, Salomon celebrated responsible outdoors and continued to advance its sustainable objectives. Sustainability highlights from 2022 included:

  • Salomon is the first leading snowsports brand to have its Science-Based Targets officially approved in 2022 (targeting 50% absolute reduction of Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions and 30% absolute reduction of Scope 3 carbon emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline, net zero by 2050). This comes after publishing Salomon’s climate strategy and first ever full carbon footprint.
  • 80% of Salomon’s tier 1 suppliers have achieved gold level in their social audit system (targeting 100% by 2025).
  • The launch of a completely renewed MTN ski touring range into a fully eco-designed collection, made with up to 40% more responsible materials.
  • Global partnership signed with Protect Our Winters in North America, and Mike Douglas, current Board Chair for POW Canada, became Salomon’s sustainability ambassador.
  • Supporting non-profits that help causes for women and minorities to have more access to our sports, including Hike Clerb, &Mother, Share Winter, TrailSisters, Colour the Trails, and Shejumps.
  • Salomon is a participating company of the Fair Labor Association through Amer Sports and on track for accreditation by 2024.
  • Salomon’s Responsible Product Framework was established to drive its product ranges towards circularity. The Fall-winter 2022 apparel collection featured 44% of its products with recycled materials, 89% of OEKO-TEX® or Bluesign® fabrics.

Mike Douglas, a longtime Salomon athlete and Board Chair of Protect Our Winters Canada, believes this collaborative work done by brands and their material suppliers is crucial.

“Part of our mission as it relates to outdoor-minded people is to get the brands and partners we work with to step up and work on cleaning up their own operations, as well as advocating for a cleaner, more sustainable planet,” says Douglas, who is also a Salomon Sustainability Ambassador.

Building on the previous Play-Minded Program, Salomon has re-structured its path to a responsible tomorrow with a two-pronged approach that places people at the center of its efforts. This approach will equip people with science-based tools that will ultimately change the culture of the company.

For 2023, the brand’s sustainability focus areas include: ​​​​​​

  • Committing to new sustainability goals and a roadmap by 2030 through its new ‘Change our Tomorrow’ program.
  • Reinforcing internal culture, commitment, and shared knowledge.
  • Deepening links and collaboration with communities, especially with Salomon athletes.
  • Amplifying transparency through open dialogue with stakeholders.
  • Quantifying and strengthening social and environmental performance through processes and science-based tools.
  • Consolidating the brand’s climate strategy.
  • Developing a circularity approach with new principles and new business models, and scaling-up circular products.

For a full understanding of where Salomon has come from, where the company currently stands and its path to a responsible tomorrow, read the full 2022 Impact Report on Salomon.com. Please visit pages 17–18 for a full list of Salomon’s progress highlights and progress with Sustainable Development Goals.

About Salomon: Born in the French Alps in 1947, Salomon creates premium footwear, apparel, gear and winter sports equipment that is superior in function, radical in design and obsessive in style. At the Annecy Design Center, engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to write the future of sports by creating products that transform outside sports experiences and enable a deeper connection with nature, allowing people to unleash the best version of themselves so that they might positively impact the world.

    Kahtoola Awards Over $30,000 in Philanthropic Grants During Winter Distribution

    Kahtoola is honored to announce the winter 2022-2023 grant recipients of the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program: The Tibet Fund, DigDeep’s Navajo Water Project, Runners for Public Lands, Soul Trak Outdoors and The Howl Experience. Three times a year, Kahtoola donates at least 1% of annual sales through the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program to nonprofits dedicated to preserving indigenous cultures, promoting environmental responsibility or efforts to support the outdoor community.

    The winter grant recipients include:

    • The Tibet Fund’s Nyingtob Ling project – a residential program for Tibetan children and young adults with disabilities located in Dharamsala, India. Kahtoola is proud to continue its support of The Tibet Fund and its mission to support and strengthen Tibetan community.
    • DigDeep’s Navajo Water Project is the first regional program of DigDeep, the national human rights nonprofit working to ensure every American has access to a tap and toilet inside their homes. The Navajo Water Project is a community-managed utility alternative that will utilize its Kahtoola Philanthropy grant to continue bringing hot and cold running water to homes on the Navajo Nation that are not connected to piped water or sewer lines. Its community-led and region-specific solutions have helped install clean running water inside hundreds of homes through its award-winning Navajo Water Project (Arizona, New Mexico and Utah); Appalachia Water Project (West Virginia); and Colonias Water Project (Texas).
    • Runners for Public Lands is dedicated to organizing runners for climate action, sustainability practices, the protection of public lands, and equitable access to nature. The grant will be used in part to bolster the “Everyone Runs Project” to help underrepresented runners break down barriers and chase their dreams.
    • Other fall recipients include Soul Trak Outdoors (grant funds will be used to support an Environmental Leadership Cohort project focused on BIPOC collegiate students in the Washington, D.C. area) and The Howl Experience, which received an in-kind grant of 25 pairs of Kahtoola’s MICROspikes for its Canadian environmental youth program.

    “In 2022, Kahtoola was thankful for the opportunity to award grants to more than a dozen nonprofits to support their tireless efforts to improve the world around us and the lives of countless people,” said Danny Giovale, founder of Kahtoola. “We are inspired by their hard work and happy to contribute to their efforts.”

    Nonprofits interested in applying for Kahtoola’s 2023 grant cycle can visit Kahtoola.com. Annually, Kahtoola distributes three rounds of grants: spring (March 31 application deadline), summer (July 31 deadline), and fall/winter (November 30 deadline).

      Outdoor Research promotes three team members to new senior leadership positions

      Internal promotions in Design, Innovation, Sustainability and Marketing to help OR continue to expand its consumer reach. 

      Capping a year of strong growth in 2022, Outdoor Research (OR), the Seattle-based manufacturer of leading outdoor apparel and gear, promoted three of its department leaders to new leadership positions. The three promotions help create the structure to continue expanding the OR brand’s reach amongst consumers. 

      Katarzyna Schoewe was promoted to Vice President Design and Product Innovation, Chris King to Vice President Brand Creative, and Alex Lauver to Senior Director Materials Innovation and Sustainability. 

      In her previous role as OR’s Senior Creative Design Director,  Schoewe led the design team, architected the growth of the company’s product collections, and worked to elevate the brand’s design aesthetic. She also was heavily involved in the effort to bring OR’s inclusive product line to market. In her new post as Vice President Product Design, Schoewe will help create a roadmap for commercial product creation at OR, and assess material combinations and construction methods. She will also be a member of OR’s executive team. Prior to Outdoor Research, Schoewe held design team roles with Under Armour, Pearl Izumi, L.L. Bean and Lands End. 

      King will move into his new job as the Vice President Brand Creative from his current role as OR’s Senior Director of Brand Creative. He will help Outdoor Research reach a wider range of consumers, and elevate its content across different marketing channels. In his previous role King focused on brand content creation. He will now assume an elevated role around brand and creative strategy. Before Outdoor Research, King was the Creative Director at Bamboo, a Seattle-based advertising agency. He also led the content team at Rover.com, and owned and ran his own production company catering to the outdoor and travel industries for a decade. 

      Lauver moves to his new post as Senior Director of Materials Innovation and Sustainability from his current role as Director of Commercial Innovation. Along with bringing new material innovations to market in Outdoor Research products, Lauver’s new job title reflects his and the brand’s elevated focus on sustainability, which has been increasingly important at OR over recent years and will continue to be a major focus looking forward. Lauver has also worked in product development at Outdoor Research, and — before that — in product development at Eastern Mountain Sports, Eddie Bauer and Cabelas. 

      “As we move into the dynamic environment that is 2023, we’re evolving our business and setting the stage to continue to grow and resonate even more effectively with current and new customers,” said Roger Barton, President of Outdoor Research. “Kat, Chris and Alex have helped us elevate everything we’re doing in product creation, marketing and sustainability over recent years, and who better to hire into these new roles than the very people who have been leading successful efforts already. These promotions recognize their efforts to keep Outdoor Research in a leadership position.” 

      About Outdoor Research Since 1981, Outdoor Research has created trusted apparel, accessories, and equipment for you to thrive outside. Our award-winning outdoor gear is meticulously researched and tested for outdoor enthusiasts and military users around the globe. Grounded in our values of curiosity, passion, innovation, collaboration, and community, we strive to create space for all in the outdoors. We celebrate wins outside at every level together with our ambassadors, non-profit partners, and employees. For more information, visit www.outdoorresearch.com.

        The Mountain Bike Riders Best Friend

        Mountain biking can be an exhilarating and challenging sport, but it also comes with the risk of injuries. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice rider, rashes, bruises, soreness, and inflammation can happen. That’s where Clayer comes in.

        Clayer is a natural remedy for mountain biking injuries that offers a range of benefits. This product is made from 100% natural ingredients, free of toxic chemicals, and is manufactured in the USA. It is scientifically proven to be effective in treating a variety of ailments, including rashes, bruises, soreness, and inflammation. In addition, Clayer comes in eco-friendly packaging, making it a great choice for those who care about the environment.

        One of the main benefits of using Clayer is its natural, non-toxic formula. Unlike many other products on the market, Clayer does not contain any harmful chemicals or synthetic fragrances that can cause irritation or allergic reactions. This makes it a safe and gentle option for people with sensitive skin or those who prefer natural products.

        Another benefit of Clayer is its versatility. It can be used to treat a range of injuries and ailments, including cuts, bruises, soreness, sprain and inflammation. Clayer’s unique formula contains a blend of natural minerals, including bentonite, kaolin and illite clays, which has been used for centuries for its healing properties.

        Clayer works by drawing out toxins and impurities from the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting healing. It also helps to increase blood flow to the affected area, which can help to reduce swelling and pain.

        In addition to its healing properties, Clayer is also environmentally friendly. The product comes in eco-friendly packaging that is recyclable and made from sustainable materials. This makes it a great choice for those who want to reduce their environmental impact and support sustainable products.

        Overall, Clayer is an excellent option for anyone looking for a natural remedy for mountain biking injuries. Its 100% natural formula, versatility, and eco-friendly packaging make it a safe and effective choice for people of all ages and skin types. So next time you hit the trails, don’t forget to pack a tube of Clayer in your first aid kit!

          Moultrie Mobile Welcomes Ryan Holm as Vice President of Marketing

          MOULTRIE MOBILE, a leading pioneer in cellular trail cameras that also offers an all-in-one remote monitoring app for hunters and property owners, has announced the addition of RYAN HOLM as its Vice President of Marketing. Holm joins the innovative company with nearly 20 years of experience in the outdoor industry and will lead efforts to enhance the vision, identity, and awareness of Moultrie Mobile and its products.

           

          “Ryan comes to us with outstanding experience and an impressive track record of guiding successful marketing and brand initiatives in the outdoor industry,” said Daniel Wilson, General Manager of MOULTRIE MOBILE. “We’re ecstatic for him to join the team and look forward to his guidance in growing our brand as we prepare to offer exciting new products in 2023 and beyond.” 

           

          Holm’s nearly two decades of professional experience in the outdoor industry include time in sales and marketing roles. The past 13 years of his career were with MYSTERY RANCH, an industry-leading pack company, where he most recently served as the Director of Marketing—growing the brand to become a juggernaut in the Military SF groups, Wildland Fire, Skiing and Climbing, and Backpack Hunting markets.

           

          “MOULTRIE MOBILE is already a highly regarded brand with a passion for offering innovative products and a stellar app designed to improve the user experience for hunters and landowners while planning and hunting,” said Holm. “A stellar time to join the MM brand, and I’m psyched to help expand with new relationships, owned media, marketing initiatives, and projects that will entrance the outdoor industry and its consumers—get ready.”

           

          MOULTRIE MOBILE recently introduced an exciting lineup of new products for 2023 that includes an advanced cellular trail camera with built-in artificial intelligence dubbed the Edge Pro, a first-of-its-kind cellular-enabled feeder management system known as Feed Hub, a universal solar battery pack for trail cameras and feeders, and additional trail camera accessories.

           

          To learn more about MOULTRIE MOBILE and its products or app visit www.MoultrieMobile.com or download and demo the Moultrie Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for free today.

           

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          About MOULTRIE MOBILE

          Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, MOULTRIE MOBILE is a rapidly-scaling software and connected hardware platform used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. MOULTRIE MOBILE is a business unit of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. PRADCO’s hunting brands include Moultrie, Whitetail Institute, Texas Hunter, Summit, Knight & Hale and Code Blue. PRADCO Fishing manufactures and markets products for freshwater and saltwater anglers under 20+ brands including Rebel, YUM, Booyah, War Eagle Custom Lures, Lindy and Bomber.

            NEMO Announces 2023 Community and Nonprofit Partners

            It’s All About Community

            NEMO, the award-winning, independent designer of outdoor gear and accessories built to improve the adventure experience, announces its 2023 community and nonprofit partners, a blend of new and renewed partnerships. Understanding that access to the outdoors is essential to not only getting more folks outside, but creating the next stewards of our planet, NEMO is partnering with for- and nonprofit organizations who are focused on inclusivity, access, and equity in the outdoors.

            RENEWED PARTNERSHIPS:
            Camp Yoshi was founded by Rashad, Ron, and Shequeita Frazier, with the intent to help diversify the outdoor space. Since its inception in 2020, Camp Yoshi has helped create safe spaces for people of color, allies, first-time campers, and enthusiasts alike, by curating trips that allow them to explore the art of camping through their unique lens. With an emphasis on leisure and aspirational experiences, Camp Yoshi is intent on being all-inclusive for their campers, using the most premium gear possible, and serving up chef-prepared campsite meals.

            “We’re stoked to have NEMO as a partner again this year,” said Rashad Frazier. “From day one, they understood that Camp Yoshi’s existence was not a moment, but a movement. We’re really lucky to have partners that understand impact is a long-term endeavor, and we appreciate their well-made tents and sleep kits which have performed beautifully for our clients.”

            Inclusive Guide, based in Denver, CO, was founded by two Black women, Crystal Egli and Parker McMullen Bushman, with a mission to create data-driven, economic incentives for businesses to be more inclusive and welcoming, resulting in safer spaces for people who regularly experience discrimination. Their Inclusive Guide, a digital Green Book and website like Yelp for inclusivity, launched in the Denver community in 2022 with plans to expand into other major cities across the country. Users of the Inclusive Guide can submit business locations they feel safe in and then rate the business on a range of attributes such as courtesy of staff, ADA compliance, sense of personal safety as it relates to their identity, and more. Crowd-sourced entries populate “inclusivity reviews” for businesses and recreation spaces. NEMO was a sponsor of their Liberation Tour last summer that took McMullen Bushman and her family on an RV tour of the US to increase visibility of Black folks in travel and outdoor spaces.

            NEW PARTNERSHIPS:
            Bewilder is a female, BIPOC owned and founded experiential media company inspiring families to spend time outside. They host pop-up retail events in partnership with outdoor brands and retailers, and provide a monthly newsletter featuring fun trip ideas, kid-friendly activities, and advice for staying safe in nature.

            Black.Surfers is an organization fighting to attain equitable access to surfing for Black people through policy and community. The Black-centric organization welcomes allies as part of its membership. Founded in 2018 by Kayiita Johansson, Black.Surfers has a following of over 11 thousand and a 580-person global community. It aims to eliminate the systemic and cultural barriers that prevent Black people from reclaiming their ancestral birthright to the ocean, surfing, and fully enjoying all it has to offer.

            Access also includes supporting organizations that work to conserve our public lands and waterways and provide healthy landscapes for wildlife. NEMO continues to partner with

            Southeast Land Trust of NH, The Conservation Alliance, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. More information and guides can be found on NEMO’s Adventure Resources page.

            About NEMO
            NEMO is a New Hampshire-based outdoor gear company known for creating award-winning products that are built to last, comfortable, and fun to use. Named one of Outside Magazine’s and Business New Hampshire’s Best Places to Work, NEMO has also been recognized as a small business leader for the environment by New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility. NEMO’s reputation for design innovation across its product lines—tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camp accessories and furniture—is an outgrowth of its design philosophy to never bring anything to market that doesn’t offer a meaningfully better experience. NEMO’s team of designers and engineers are motivated by a passion for outdoor adventure and sustainability.

            Adventure Anywhere. Adventure for Anyone. Adventure Forever™.

              Groundbreaking Outdoor Industry Study Sets Stage to Electrify Textile and Apparel Factories

              Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, W.L. Gore & Associates, and OIA come together through OIA’s Climate Action Corps to Decarbonize the Textile and Apparel Sector

              BOULDER, CO [February 13, 2023] — Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, and Gore’s Fabrics Division (Gore) – five members of OIA Climate Action Corps – and OIA are pleased to release the results of a joint-commissioned study regarding the feasibility of electrifying the textile and apparel industry. The study outlines substantial opportunities to implement practices that save companies money and reduce supply chain emissions. Patagonia served as the main sponsor of the study which OIA helped to facilitate. This collaborative project is the latest in a series of steps the industry is taking to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis.

              The study, Electrification of Heating in the Textile Industry: A Techno-Economic Analysis for China, Japan, and Taiwan, explored the potential energy savings, CO2 emissions reductions, and costs for electrification technology pathways. The main findings of the study demonstrate that shifting to industrial heat pumps can lead to substantial energy reductions, reduced CO2 emissions, and lower costs compared to conventional systems. The study also provides several key recommendations for the textile industry and policymakers to scale up electrification in the textile and apparel industry and accelerate carbon emissions reductions.

              “One of the biggest issues in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our apparel and textile supply chains is thermal energy – steam and hot water for heating processes in factories. Can we use something other than coal, natural gas, or other fossil fuels? Our study demonstrates how there is an opportunity to decarbonize thermal heating processes in apparel and textile factories in a way that reduces emissions, energy, and cost over time,” said Sarah Rykal, Senior Manager of OIA’s Climate Action Corps. “This is the first research of its kind, and we are thrilled to now be sharing these findings with suppliers in China, Japan, and Taiwan to help increase sustainability on a broader scale. These results impact the entire fashion industry, not just the outdoor industry.”

              Burton, New Balance, Patagonia, REI, Gore, and OIA worked with the industrial decarbonization consulting firm Global Efficiency Intelligence to conduct the study. The goal was to gain critical insights into reducing emissions in the apparel industry’s supply chain by shifting from carbon-intensive thermal heating processes currently powered by fossil fuels to more efficient, clean electrified processes where low- or zero-carbon electricity is used. The research focused on the textile industry with a special focus on tier 2 factories – facilities where materials are produced and finished before going into finished products – in China, Japan, and Taiwan, and applies to other geographies.

              “Electrification of process heating will play a vital role in the deep decarbonization of the textile industry and apparel supply chain when tied to renewable electricity. However, it seems like not many managers and engineers in the textile and apparel companies are aware of this huge opportunity. There is certainly a need for more work in this area,” said Ali Hasanbeigi, Ph.D., Research Director at Global Efficiency Intelligence and lead researcher for this study.

              “Our global supply chain is the source of most of our carbon emissions, so we must work with factory partners to transform how we make products and reduce the harm done in our name,” said Kim Drenner, Head of Supply Chain Environmental Impact at Patagonia. “We joined REI, New Balance, Gore, and Burton to collaborate with the OIA on this study, so the researchers were able to cover a diverse range of factories and stakeholders. This research is a step forward because it provides tangible, cost-effective ways for suppliers and brands to end their reliance on fossil fuels. We look forward to helping implement these improvements.”

              The collaborators have also hosted stakeholder engagement activities to inform stakeholders of the research findings and empower them to adopt clean heat processes that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the textile and apparel industry. The research results have been published on GEI’s website.

               

              About the Outdoor Industry Association

              Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org

               

              About Burton

              In 1977, Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton Snowboards out of his Vermont barn and dedicated the rest of his life to snowboarding. Since its founding, Burton has played a pivotal role in growing snowboarding from a backyard hobby to a world-class sport by creating groundbreaking products, supporting a team of top snowboarders, and pushing resorts to allow snowboarding. Today, Burton designs and manufactures industry-leading products for snowboarding and the outdoors. As a sustainability leader within the outdoor and winter sports industries, Burton is the world’s first snowboard company to become a certified B Corporation®. Privately held and owned by Donna Carpenter, Burton’s headquarters are in Burlington, Vermont with offices in Austria, Japan, Australia, Canada, and China. For more information on Burton, head to www.burton.com and follow our line at facebook.com/burtonsnowboards, twitter.com/burtonsnowboard, and @burtonsnowboards on Instagram.

               

              About Gore’s Fabrics Division

              Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX Fabric more than 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to defense operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. For more information, visit gore-tex.com and goretexprofessional.com

               

              About New Balance

              New Balance, headquartered in Boston, Ma has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. Manufactured in the U.S. for more than 75 years and representing a limited portion of our U.S. sales, New Balance MADE U.S. is a premium collection that contains domestic value of 70% or greater. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 7,000 associates around the globe and in 2021 reported sales of $4.4 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com.

               

              About Patagonia

              We’re in business to save our home planet. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, California. As a certified B Corporation and a founding member of 1% for the Planet, the company is recognized internationally for its product quality and environmental activism, as well as its contributions of nearly $200 million to environmental organizations. Its unique ownership structure reflects that Earth is its only shareholder: Profits not reinvested back into the business are paid as dividends to protect the planet.

               

              About REI Co-op

              REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 21.5 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 181 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet, or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

              Matador Introduces Globerider45, its First Generalist Travel Backpack

              BOULDER, Colo. (Feb. 13, 2023) – Matador Travel Equipment, the award-winning producer of high-performance travel equipment, today introduced the Globerider45 Travel Backpack. Engineered to be the ultimate primary backpack for travelers, the Globerider45 combines the architecture of a traditional travel pack with materials and construction typically reserved for the outdoor backpacking industry.

              “The Globerider45 is a giant leap for us – it’s our first foray into a generalist travel bag,” said Chris Clearman, founder and CEO of Matador. “We’ve harnessed our expertise in hyper-efficient travel and our experience crafting backpacks for the outdoors to offer a dream bag for adventure travelers. It’s full of features and organization options to satisfy every type of traveler, and is full of surprises like hidden pockets. We can’t wait to see where this one goes.”

              The Globerider45 is constructed with bluesign®-certified materials and offers a clamshell design with flexible interior organization options, and a slew of external-access features including a padded laptop pocket, a water bottle pocket, and an admin pocket with layered organization. The pack’s internal aluminum framestay distributes weight evenly, and its padded, breathable hip belt, back panel and shoulder straps keep loads comfortable for long carries. The 45-liter capacity also meets most airlines’ carry-on requirements. Additional features of the Gloebrider45 include:

              • Stowable hip belt and shoulder straps
              • Large external stash pocket
              • Sternum strap and load lifters
              • Sealing YKK® zippers and zipper security loops on all exterior pockets
              • Reflective webbing for recognition in low light
              • External daisy chain on front
              • Smugglers hidden pocket behind the back panel
              • Grab handles on top, bottom, front, back and side.
              • UHMWPE-reinforced wear panels
              • V-compression straps on the exterior

              The Globerider45 (MSRP: $350) is available now at select retailers and online at http://www.matadorup.com/.

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              About Matador Travel Equipment

              Matador designs high-performance travel equipment designed for objective-based travel. The team’s strengths in design, material technology, and construction give them an edge in developing innovative products that bring outdoor expertise to the pursuit of travel. For more information about Matador, visit www.MatadorUp.com.